Top 5 Special Things You Shouldn't Miss at This Largest Highland Pagoda of Vietnam

Ba Vang Pagoda has the largest sanctum built on a mountain in Quang Ninh, Vietnam. The pagoda is also known as “Bao Quang Tu”. “Bao” means precious or treasured. "Quang" means light. “Bao Quang Tu” indicated “The Pagoda has precious light". This light is perceived as not only the sunlight but also the light of enlightenment, wisdom and human virtues.

Ba Vang Pagoda is not only a place of practice for those who want to be enlightened but also a destination of ecotourism, culture and spirituality. Buddhists and tourists across the world come to Ba Vang Pagoda in order to learn about Buddhist culture, to calm their mind and regain balance in life. Through their experiences here, they are able to orientate themselves toward a more noble life with a pure and benevolent mind.

1. Ideal Location

This peaceful and poetic place seems to be endowed with all the factors that create a fairyland on earth. The pagoda is located in Thanh Dang Mountain at height 300 meters above sea level, in the west of Uong Bi City. In front of Ba Vang Pagoda is Bach Dang River winding like a giant silk strip. Far away is Hai Phong City and Do Son Beach. On the left, the range of Thanh Long Mountains overlaps and on the right is Bach Ho majestic mountains. The pagoda are surrounded with vast forests of green pine trees.

2. The Pagoda with The Biggest Sanctum on The Mountain in Indochina

The Main Hall or the Great Sanctum is regarded as the most important part of the pagoda with an area of 4500 square meters. This is where Thay Thich Truc Thai Minh – the Abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda preaches the Dharma, and Buddhists prostrate and offer incense to Buddhas; or recite Sutra and meditate.

3. The Pagoda with The Largest Red Wooden Drum in Vietnam

In 2014, Ba Vang Pagoda had its Red Wooden Great Drum recognized as the biggest one of Vietnam by Vietnam Records Organization. The Drum is an implement used in Buddhist worship, and its sound is the symbol of the Right Dharma. It is said in Buddhist scriptures that every time a sentient being hears this sound, one's karmic obstructions will be partly eradicated.

4. The Godly Well

On the campus of the pagoda, there is a 300-year-old pure water well that mostly has the water level of around 2 meters. This is called the Godly Well. According to the legend, those who drink water from the well on New Year's Eve will have good health and possibly cure various diseases. Therefore, many Buddhist followers and tourists from everywhere coming here often want to taste drinking water from the well.

5. Interesting Festivals Throughout The Year

There are many religious festivals that visitors can enjoy during the year at Ba Vang Pagoda such as: Spring Opening Ceremony, Buddha's Birthday (VESAK), Vu Lan Festival, Chrysanthemum Festival, Bodhicitta Ceremony, New Year' Eve, etc.